Rockets Seek to Bounce Back, Square Off Against Blazers
Back to Square One. The McCollum Problem. Reaching Distance.
After having another two days off, the Rockets are back in action on Friday night. This time, the squad hosts the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland is without their best player, likely for the rest of the season, in Damian Lillard. Echoes of rebuilding have been around the Blazers’ franchise all season. Portland’s played basically .500 basketball over their last ten games. Tonight’s a very winnable game for Houston, but which Rockets team will we see? Hopefully, a couple of off-days wasn’t too much time away from the game, as we saw what transpired in Houston’s previous contest after having three days off. After going 3-2, and nearly 4-1, on a tough West-Coast road trip, the Rockets returned home to get blown out by one of the West’s worst teams, in the Spurs. Houston certainly has the potential to beat Portland tonight, but they’ll have to play with more effort, and get off to better start than they did against San Antonio.
The Blazers may be without Damian Lillard, their franchise player, but they still have C.J. McCollum, who recently returned from a lengthy injury due to a collapsed lung. McCollum is slowly regaining his All-Star form, and could be due for a big game tonight if Houston’s defense doesn’t contain his abilities. The Rockets are just looking for a better game overall, after a disappointing 30-point loss to a team they beat a few weeks ago on the road. Hopefully Houston makes tonight’s contest a competitive one.
With a record of 20-28, the Blazers hold the tenth and final play-in spot in the Western Conference. The Rockets may be in last place, but they’re still only six games behind Portland, five with a victory tonight. It’s a stretch to think playoffs with this young inconsistent Houston squad, but it’s not impossible. Games like tonight are ones the Rockets have to win if they want to turn that miracle of sneaking into the postseason a reality. For now, they’ll look to improve after seemingly returning to square one in their first home game in ages. The Rockets haven’t won in Houston since December 8th. It’s time the squad gets their first victory of the calendar year at home, tonight facing the Blazers.
Toyota Center: Houston, Texas
Jersey Colors:
Portland Trail Blazers (20-28): White
Houston Rockets (14-34): Navy “City Edition”
Tip-Off: 7 PM CT
TV: AT&T Sportsnet SW, NBA League Pass